SAFETY IN THE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
The Department of Chemistry at The College of Charleston makes every effort to provide a safe learning environment for the chemistry student. All laboratory experiments are checked for safety when performed according to directions. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR READING ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR PERFORMING EACH EXPERIMENT. Part of the educational program in chemistry is to learn how to handle potentially hazardous materials in a safe and efficient manner. As with any activity where there is the potential for s serious accident, the fundamental responsibility for safety lies with the individual. The principle effort in conducting a safe laboratory program is thorough preparation and constant vigilance. WHENEVER THERE IS ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF A PROCEDURE OR WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN, ASK A FACULTY MEMBER BEFORE BEGINNING THE EXPERIMENT.

The following rules should be observed in all chemistry laboratories.

1. Always wear safety glasses.
2. NEVER WORK ALONE IN THE LABORATORY.
3. "Horseplay" is strictly forbidden. Enjoy chemistry, but be mature.
4. Learn the location of all safety equipment such as eyewash stations, fire extinguisher, safety showers, fire blankets and exits before beginning work in the laboratory.
5. No smoking, eating, or drinking in the laboratory.
6. Always add acids to water, never water to acids.
7. Return caps and lids to all reagent bottles immediately.
8. Never return reagents to stock bottles.
9. Dispose of unused or contaminated reagents properly. Throw solids in waste jars, flush water soluble liquids down the sink with a large excess of water, water insoluble liquids should be placed in a waste jar or can.
10. Always lubricate glass tubing, thermometers, or thistle tubes before inserting them into a stopper. Always wrap toweling around them while inserting. Keep hands together.
11. Be very cautious when testing or odors.
12. Never aim the opening of a test tube or flask at yourself or anyone else.
13. Use a pipet bulb when transferring solutions with a pipet.
14. Use a hood whenever poisonous or irritating fumes are evolved.
15. Never leave an experiment unattended while it is being heated or is rapidly reacting.
16. Under no conditions ar unauthorized or unsupervised experiments to be performed.
17. Bare feet or sandals are not acceptable in the laboratory.
18. Always wear appropiate eye protection.
19. If you have long hair, tie it back to keep it out of flames.
20. Keep equipment back from the edge of the lab bench.
21. Support all beakers and flasks with clamps.
22. Never use flames with volatile solvents.
23. Don't use cracked or chipped glassware.
24. Extinguish all flames when not in use.
25. Read all labels twice.
26. PRACTICE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING AT ALL TIMES. CLEAN UP SPILLS IMMEDIATELY AND BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR WORK AREA CLEAN.
27. Keep areas around balances and reagents clean. Don't leave a mess for someone else.
28. Report any accident, however minor, to your instructor or advisor at once.
29. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING AT ALL TIMES!

Majoring in Chemistry & Biochemistry
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